Unlock solar potential now: Energy experts to Karnataka state government

Power and energy experts in city believe that finance ministry has hit the nail on its head by saying that dependence on coal has to be reduced and consecutively directing the electricity distribution companies to restructure their financial position.

MG Prabhakar, FKCCI energy committee chairman, power expert told TOI, “It is inevitable to depend on green energy and reduce dependence on coal. We need to face the reality before it gets very late. Karnataka has a huge solar power potential and by now each district should be mandated to installed 5Mega Watt capacity of solar power. Solar is Rs6-8 crore per MW in the country.

“He said that because other renewable projects have long gestation periods, the wait time to generated and benefit the grid has to be seen.

“My guess is before 2014, the power tariff across all states will be a minimum of Rs 5.50 and Karnataka may also reach there. But assuming that the state government’s grants and 50% funds through loans, the five distribution companies can restructure their financial position.

We need to have greater financial discipline, whatsoever and re-audit on illegal irrigation pump sets will only help to plug the transmission and distribution losses in state.”